802.11n implementation- First steps

We have around 35 access pints (1230,1240,1260) and 500 clients (RDTs and printers ) in our warehouse running on 802.11b/g, some of the clients support 802.11n and some of them don't. We are planning to upgrade all our clients by the end of the year so that they all can support 802.11n.
We are getting reports about intermittent wireless connectivity issues from our warehouse and some of APs have peak client count of 55. We can't add any more APs in those areas because of the interference(only 3 non over lapping channels in 2.4ghz), so we decided to add new APs with 802.11n antennas (11n antennas only) in those areas so that all the clients that support 802.11n can connect to the new APs.
Do you see any caveats in that design. AES,TEKIP and WMM is already enabled on all our WLANs, is there anything else I have to do other than enabling (wireless--802.11a/n--High Throughput-11n ) mode on the controller and configuring the antennas on the APs? And also does enabling 802.11n (5Ghz) in greenfield mode on an AP has any affect on the AP that only has 802.11b/g antennas?
Below is a logical diagram, thanks for the help
Siddhartha

Leo,
Below is the diagram, the distance from the ground to the AP is 9 feet and all the AP s have two external patch anenna (AIR-ANT2460P-R) facing the ground.
Siddhartha

Similar Messages

Native Aiport cardbus/PCMCIA card for 802.11n

My wife has a Powerbook. For airport we are using a Microsoft (gasp!) MN-720 cardbus card. This has the same Broadcom chipset in it as an Airport Extreme card and is recognized by the Apple Airport drivers as a native airport extreme card. It works great and no third party drivers were needed. I'm interested if anyone has found a cardbus card that uses the same chipset as Apple does for their 802.11n implementation. The object being of course to have the Apple drivers see it as a native extreme N card. I'm aware of the Quickertek nQuicky cardbus card, but that requires their drivers. I'm looking for something that the Apple drivers will recognize as their own. Thanks ... Perry

Hardware differences. Core duos don't have the ability to be upgraded to 802.11n via the software update.

Voltage specs and international question about Airport Extreme (802.11n)

I'm about to travel to Korea to teach English for a year so I'm preparing all my electronic gear for the journey and I've come to a curious question involving the Airport Extreme with 802.11n.
First of all, I'm worried about voltage (Korea runs on 220v / 60Hz). For most hard drives (and Apple hardware in general it seems) the power supply is auto-switching 100-240v 50/60 Hz, but when I looked at the official specs for the Airport Extreme (hereafter AEBS) this info is conspicuously absent. The AEBS itself runs on 12V DC power, which is listed in the specs, but the input tolerance for the AC adapter isn't mentioned. I checked the specs for the Time Capsule since the hardware is presumably very similar and it is explicitly 100-240v. Likewise the replacement power supply available from Apple is listed as 100-240v, but since it is a replacement part I'm not sure if it is the exact same make as the adapter that ships with the AEBS in North America. If someone knows the definitive specs, I would appreciate an answer.
Secondly, when I tried searching the Korean Apple site (www.apple.co.kr) for specs on the Korean version of the AEBS to see if it was the same, I discovered that the Airport Extreme isn't available in Korea (although the Airport Express and Time Capsule). Does anyone know why this is? Is it possible the Airport Extreme doesn't comply with Korean wireless standards (I know the iPhone isn't being released in Korea because of laws about middleware that must be installed on cellular phones in Korea)? It seems safe given the availability of the Time Capsule in Korea, but does anyone have any specific knowledge about the Airport Extreme or Wi-fi regulations in Korea?
Sorry if this is a strange question, but I'd appreciate insight from the more experienced/advanced Apple users out there.
-Matt Tranquada

Thanks for the response. I guess what I would like to know is if I am closer to the newer 802.11n AE base station with my laptop, will it ignore the older base station and communicate directly with the stronger signal, or does it communicate with the weaker, more distant signal. Does the laptop automatically determine which base station has a stronger signal and choose it, or is it fixed which base station the laptop communicates with?

BDP-N460 Blue Ray - Wanting to implement Airport Express (802.11n) as Wi-Fi

Hi All,
My intention is to use my Airport Express (802.11n) as a Wi-Fi bridge for the BDP-N460 (Streaming Video). I am clearly missing a step. I have read many posts and followed what seemed like specific directions, to no avail. If anyone can help by shedding some light on this process, I would greatly appreciate it.
All the Best,
NgM

I may have to wait to do the tests in the same room as the Linksys. What would the tests include? Setting up the Express directly to the (cable) modem?
This was a suggestion to test signal strength. If you want to try to configure it now, here is how you would do so:
It is critically important that you know the exact type of security that the Linksys router is using. Otherwise, you will not be able to match up the settings and the Express will not connect to the Linksys wireless. It would be great if the Linksys was using no security, but I doubt that this is the case.
Hold in the reset button on the AirPort Express until you see the amber light begin to blink more quickly. Hold another second or two when you see this, then release the reset button.
Temporarily, connect an ethernet cable from your computer to the AirPort Express.
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab (under the row of icons) to assign a name to your Express, a device password (write this down) and adjust Time Zone settings
Click the Wireless tab (under the row of icons)
Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = If the Express "sees" a strong enough signal from the Linksys, you will see the name of the Linksys wireless network. Click to select. If you do not see the name of the Linksys wireless network displayed as a choice, I'm afraid that the wireless signal is too weak and this will not work.
Place a check mark next to Allow ethernet clients. This activates the ethernet port
Wireless Security = Exact setting as the Linksys. This is always the most difficult part of trying to get an Express to join a wireless network. It won't pick the right setting by itself. You have to tell is exactly what to do.
Wireless Password = Password for the Linksys network if security is being used
Confirm Password
Click the Update button at the lower right of the window. Don't panic when the AirPort Express "disappears" from AirPort Utility, this is normal. As soon as you see the message that the settings have been stored to the Express, close AirPort Utility and disconnect the ethernet cable. The Express will restart and if your settings are correct, you will have a green light in 20-25 seconds.
If you don't get a green light, something is wrong with the configuration settings, probably the security setting. You'll have to start all over again with the reset of the Express and try again.
Now, test the connection by first plugging your computer in to the Express, (turn off wireless on the computer) and see if you can get an internet connection. If you can, it should be simply a matter of plug and play with the Sony, following the instructions in the manual. Almost all Audio/Video devices will connect to the internet automatically when they have an ethernet connection. No special configuration is normally required.
The success of your connection will depend on the quality of the wireless signal that is available to the AirPort Express.
Good luck, post back on your results.

Step-by-step guide to upgrading a MacBook Core Duo from 802.11g to 802.11n.

Hardmac.com has post a step-by-step guide on how to upgrading a MacBook Core Duo from 802.11g to 802.11n using an 802.11n card from the Mac Pro desktop. The upgrade was also tested and confirmed to work with the AirPort Extreme 802.11n at 802.11n speed.
There is no reason that a similar upgrade shouldn't also work with the MacBook Pro.
http://www.hardmac.com/articles/71/

Hardmac.com has post a step-by-step guide on how to
upgrading a MacBook Core Duo from 802.11g to 802.11n
using an 802.11n card from the Mac Pro desktop. The
upgrade was also tested and confirmed to work with
the AirPort Extreme 802.11n at 802.11n speed.
There is no reason that a similar upgrade shouldn't
also work with the MacBook Pro.
http://www.hardmac.com/articles/71/
Gino,
Interesting how the Apple 802.11n Enabler installed on the MacBook with no problems using the CD that comes with the AirPort Express.
I must try that.
Thanks for the post!
William

First time working with 802.11n, not working properly?

Hello,
This is the first time I use 802.11n in my network there is only one AP1141 but the clients don't connect at 802.11n rates, instead they connect at data rates as low as 11 Mbps. At the begining they connect at 144 Mbps but immidiatly it decreases to 11 or 12.
Many of our wireless clients in the company are Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 AGN.
Any comments?
AIR-AP1141N-A-K9
AIR-WLC2106-K9
6.0.182.0
Let me know if more info needed?
Thanks

Hi George,
So you suggest to keep only WPA2/AES?
Regarding the coverage area keep in mind this is a really small 4 floor building with an AP floor floor, I installed only one AP1141 in my floor and kept the AP1131 in the other 3 floors, I might reduce the power to half since I don't need them working at full power unless I need coverage in the stairs in order to enforce roaming to IPPhones. Also, I don't want to bond channels on 2.4 because I read that as a recomendation in a Cisco's document (anyways I did not find how to do it in 2.4, wuld be a nice tip if you tell me how just in case) so 144 Mbps would be great as long as it works properly. I did not experienced these rate hoping until I enabled this AP1141.
And yes most of the clients that reported issues are Intel (engineering team, haven't checked the rest yet).
Regards!

HT4259 When a Netgear N 300 wireless router is the base station for my network, what steps do I take to add AirPort Express 802.11n as an network extender?

When a Netgear N 300 wireless router is the base station for my network, what steps do I take to add AirPort Express 802.11n as an network extender?

You don't have to do anything to the netgear.. the Express cannot wirelessly extend non-apple networks. You must plug the Express in by ethernet and create a new wireless network.. this can be the same name (SSID) and security as the netgear so it can become a roaming network.

I just purshased AirPort Extreme 802.11n wi-fi I was told to get the step by step direction on the internet and I am not able to find it can you help me

I just purchased AirPort Extreme 802.11n wi-fi I was told to get a step by step direction to install this wi-fi on line but I am not able to find it. can you please help me?
Helen

See this Apple video tutorial.
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#wirelesssetup
And this Apple doc:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/airport_extreme_5th_gen_setup.pdf

I recently switched from LinkSys to Airport Express 802.11n. I love it, but I can't get the Wii to talk to it so I can stream NetFlix. I've found MANY discussions on this, but it's still not clear to me. Anybody have a step by step so I can fix it?

I recently switched from LinkSys to Airport Express 802.11n. I love it...but now I my Wii can't see it so I can stream NetFlix. I have found MANY discussions on line about this...but it's still not clear to me. Anybody have a step by step way to fix this? Thanks! Jim Matherly

Well, the Airport Express is also compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. If your Wii is unable to connect to the wireless network, I recommended changing the wireless security of your network.
Open Airport Utility, select your Airport Express and click Edit. Navigate to the Wireless tab and change your security from WPA2 Personal to WPA/WPA2 Personal. Then click Update on the bottom right.

802.1x authentication fail when trying to implement 802.11N

Hello, I'm trying to deploy 802.11N along with 802.1X and IAS.
Controller comunciates with Radius server (IAS) and this lives in a ESX host along with the Domain controller. Somehow users are not able to authenticate.
WLC: AIR-CT550 - IP 10.152.36.5
IAS: 10.204.34.35
Domain controller: 10.204.35.149
Testing client MAC: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
Check these logs:
*Jan 29 19:11:45.816: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:45.842: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:45.844: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:50.691: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 apfMsExpireCallback (apf_ms.c:418) Expiring Mobile!
*Jan 29 19:11:50.692: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 0.0.0.0 START (0) Deleted mobile LWAPP rule on AP [0c:27:24:4e:62:10]
*Jan 29 19:11:50.692: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Deleting mobile on AP 0c:27:24:4e:62:10(0)
*Jan 29 19:11:51.727: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Adding mobile on LWAPP AP 50:17:ff:df:08:70(1)
*Jan 29 19:11:51.727: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 23) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.727: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 apfProcessProbeReq (apf_80211.c:4722) Changing state for mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 on AP 50:17:ff:df:08:70 from Idle to Probe
*Jan 29 19:11:51.729: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.742: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.743: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.758: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.758: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.773: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.774: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.943: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Scheduling deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 24) in 5 seconds
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Association received from mobile on AP 50:17:ff:de:45:90
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Applying site-specific IPv6 override for station 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 - vapId 3, site 'default-group', interface 'enterprise wireless 3rd floor'
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Applying IPv6 Interface Policy for station 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 - vlan 603, interface id 11, interface 'enterprise wireless 3rd floor'
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 STA - rates (8): 140 18 152 36 176 72 96 108 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Processing RSN IE type 48, length 22 for mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Received RSN IE with 0 PMKIDs from mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 0.0.0.0 START (0) Deleted mobile LWAPP rule on AP [50:17:ff:df:08:70]
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Updated location for station old AP 50:17:ff:df:08:70-1, new AP 50:17:ff:de:45:90-1
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 0.0.0.0 START (0) Initializing policy
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 0.0.0.0 START (0) Change state to AUTHCHECK (2) last state AUTHCHECK (2)
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 0.0.0.0 AUTHCHECK (2) Change state to 8021X_REQD (3) last state 8021X_REQD (3)
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 0.0.0.0 8021X_REQD (3) Plumbed mobile LWAPP rule on AP 50:17:ff:de:45:90 vapId 3 apVapId 3
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 apfPemAddUser2 (apf_policy.c:213) Changing state for mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 on AP 50:17:ff:de:45:90 from Probe to Associated
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Stopping deletion of Mobile Station: (callerId: 48)
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Sending Assoc Response to station on BSSID 50:17:ff:de:45:90 (status 0) Vap Id 3 Slot 1
*Jan 29 19:11:51.945: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 apfProcessAssocReq (apf_80211.c:4389) Changing state for mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 on AP 50:17:ff:de:45:90 from Associated to Associated
*Jan 29 19:11:51.947: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Station 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 setting dot1x reauth timeout = 0
*Jan 29 19:11:51.947: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Stopping reauth timeout for 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:51.947: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 dot1x - moving mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 into Connecting state
*Jan 29 19:11:51.947: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Sending EAP-Request/Identity to mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 (EAP Id 1)
*Jan 29 19:11:51.974: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Received EAPOL START from mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:51.974: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 dot1x - moving mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 into Connecting state
*Jan 29 19:11:51.974: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Sending EAP-Request/Identity to mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 (EAP Id 2)
*Jan 29 19:11:52.006: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Received EAPOL EAPPKT from mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:52.006: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Received EAP Response packet with mismatching id (currentid=2, eapid=1) from mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:52.030: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Received EAPOL EAPPKT from mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:52.030: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Username entry (NA\a-Gregg.Davis) created for mobile
*Jan 29 19:11:52.030: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Received Identity Response (count=2) from mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:52.030: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 EAP State update from Connecting to Authenticating for mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:52.030: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 dot1x - moving mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 into Authenticating state
*Jan 29 19:11:52.030: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Entering Backend Auth Response state for mobile 24:77:03:dc:c6:10
*Jan 29 19:11:52.031: apfVapRadiusInfoGet: WLAN(3) dynamic int attributes srcAddr:0x0, gw:0x0, mask:0x0, vlan:0, dpPort:0, srcPort:0
*Jan 29 19:11:52.031: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Successful transmission of Authentication Packet (id 62) to 10.204.34.35:1812, proxy state 24:77:03:dc:c6:10-00:00
*Jan 29 19:11:52.051: ****Enter processIncomingMessages: response code=11
*Jan 29 19:11:52.051: Received a RADIUS message from unknown server 10.204.35.149 port 1812
*Jan 29 19:11:54.032: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Successful transmission of Authentication Packet (id 62) to 10.204.34.35:1812, proxy state 24:77:03:dc:c6:10-00:00
*Jan 29 19:11:54.049: ****Enter processIncomingMessages: response code=11
*Jan 29 19:11:54.049: Received a RADIUS message from unknown server 10.204.35.149 port 1812
*Jan 29 19:11:56.032: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Successful transmission of Authentication Packet (id 62) to 10.204.34.35:1812, proxy state 24:77:03:dc:c6:10-00:00
*Jan 29 19:11:56.048: ****Enter processIncomingMessages: response code=11
*Jan 29 19:11:56.048: Received a RADIUS message from unknown server 10.204.35.149 port 1812
Any idea of what could be the problem?
Thanks.

Hi Francisco,
*Jan 29 19:11:52.031: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Successful transmission of Authentication Packet (id 62) to 10.204.34.35:1812, proxy state 24:77:03:dc:c6:10-00:00
*Jan 29 19:11:52.051: ****Enter processIncomingMessages: response code=11*Jan 29 19:11:52.051: Received a RADIUS message from unknown server 10.204.35.149 port 1812
*Jan 29 19:11:54.032: 24:77:03:dc:c6:10 Successful transmission of Authentication Packet (id 62) to 10.204.34.35:1812, proxy state 24:77:03:dc:c6:10-00:00
*Jan 29 19:11:54.049: ****Enter processIncomingMessages: response code=11*Jan 29 19:11:54.049: Received a RADIUS message from unknown server 10.204.35.149 port 1812
These message indicate there is some issue with RADIUS communication. Looks like WLC send RADIUS packets to IAS, but it does not get any response. Instead it getting RADIUS response from DC.
Pls check this communication
HTH
Rasika
**** Pls rate all useful resposnes *****

Why no update for WRT300N for Draft 802.11n Version 2.0 specs?

I see that WRT350N had a BIOS update in August that implemented the Draft 802.11n Version 2.0 (specs).
Why hasn't Linksys provided one for the WRT300N?
Would be nice...

Hello,
Try disabling graphics hardware acceleration. Since this feature was added to Firefox, it has gradually improved, but there still are a few glitches.
You might need to restart Firefox in order for this to take effect, so save all work first (e.g., mail you are composing, online documents you're editing, etc.).
Then perform these steps:
*Click the orange Firefox button at the top left, then select the "Options" button, or, if there is no Firefox button at the top, go to Tools > Options.
*In the Firefox options window click the ''Advanced'' tab, then select "General".
*In the settings list, you should find the ''Use hardware acceleration when available'' checkbox. Uncheck this checkbox.
*Now, restart Firefox and see if the problems persist.
Additionally, please check for updates for your graphics driver by following the steps mentioned in the following Knowledge base articles:
* [[Troubleshoot extensions, themes and hardware acceleration issues to solve common Firefox problems]]
* [[Upgrade your graphics drivers to use hardware acceleration and WebGL]]
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thank you.

Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter not working on Windows 7 64bit

As the title suggests, my laptop (Alienware m17x) is installed with the Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter and Windows 7 64bit Home Premium. I have had several other driver incompatibility issues with Windows 7, but those I have slowly been able to resolve. This however just cropped up after two months of successful use. Yesterday it started failing to connect to the internet, telling me that no wireless connections are available. I live in a dorm, and everyone else on my floor has successful wireless, including my Ipod Touch, PS3 and XBox 360. I called Alienware/Dell Support and we spent hours trying to fix the problem and all look well until I rebooted my laptop this morning and the same issue reappeared. When I reboot my laptop, all I get is a notification that no networks appear in range. If I uninstall the broadcom chip and let windows install it after a boot up it works until the machine is rebooted a second time. I have tried over a dozen windows 7 drivers for the chip, and about half a dozen vista drivers and they all have the same results, works on the first boot, fails every time after that

Just registered to say, on an Alienware M17x system as well running Windows 7 Ultimate, here is a link to a solution that worked exactly for me:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/436486-guide-properly-solve-wireless-connection-problems-m17x.html
All I did was section I.a. If the link is down, I copied the only section that I needed to follow out of this guide, in order to get my wireless to work repeatedly without having to uninstall the wireless driver every single reboot. Now it works perfectly,
already connected to a wireless network on startup.
I.a. Disable Device sleep on disconnect
Some newer Nvidia Ethernet drivers have a feature called Device sleep on disconnect. This is the culprit. Normally, it should only put the Ethernet adapter to sleep when the cable is disconnected, but it's buggy and thus kills the wireless connection as
well.
Follow these steps to disable this feature on your Nvidia Ethernet Adapter:
1. Open the Windows Device Manager by hitting Win+Pause, then click on Device Manager on the left side.
2. Double-click on Network adapters.
3. Double-click on NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller (yes, that's the wired Ethernet adapter indeed).
4. Click on the Advanced tab.
5. Select Device sleep on disconnect.
6. Set the Value to Disabled.
7. Click OK and wireless should work again (might require a reboot afterwards, but probably not).

Airport Drives Me CRAZY! New 802.11n Network Slower Than Old 802.11g/b

I've been using Macs since 1988 and consider myself an advanced user. However, every time I setup a new Airport wireless network or re-configure an existing one, I feel like a helpless newbie trying to figure out how to open a folder on my desktop. No matter how many times I read the manual or the help files or these forums, I can never grasp what seems like it should be a simple path from A to B to C.
Anyway, here's my current situation: I've been successfully (I think) running a 6 year old AP Extreme Base Station [AE] (in my home office addition) and 2 Airport Expresses [AX] (one AX roughly 15 feet from the base station--through sheetrock, and the second AX roughly 30 feet from the first AX--through sheetrock and some wooden stairs. (so roughly 45 feet from AE to 2nd AX). It wasn't the speediest thing going but it did the trick with older Macs.
I recently bought a MacBook Pro which supports 802.11n. I most often use this laptop at the point in the house furthest away from the AE (Base Station) The AE (Base Station) is in my home office connected to my MacPro desktop (see #1 below). In addition, the family iMac is also in that room furthest from the AE. Using the new MacBook Pro with the old 802.11/g/b network turned out to be painfully slow. I was experiencing the same slow network connection my family has complained about for years with their older Macs and 802.11g/b.
I decided it was time to upgrade the whole network, if only to speed up my MacBook Pro connection. Bought new 802.11n Airport Extreme (MC340LL/A) and 2 new 802.11n Airport Expresses (MB321LL/A). Setup did not go smoothly. Again, my normally competent Mac persona was reduced to a babbling three-year-old. Had three different Apple techs on the phone trying to help me through it. Got different, contradictory instructions from the last two. Finally got all three units working, only to find that not only does my MacBook Pro seem even more sluggish than when connected to the old 802.11g/b network, but my wife tells me web pages are taking at least twice as long to load as with the old network.
As concisely as I can lay this out:
*1. Airport Extreme (Base Station)*
Connected via Ethernet from its WAN port to my Comcast cable modem. One Ethernet (LAN) port on that AE is then connected via Ethernet to my Netgear 8-port Ethernet switch. Ethernet from switch to Ethernet port 1 on my MacPro. (MacPro does NOT have an Airport card because I forgot to order one. Also I confirmed that this setup was functional by connecting to the AE wirelessly with my MacBook Pro showing the name I'd given the new network prior to adding the two AX's to the mix).
Some Airport Extreme settings of note (all accessed via "Manual Setup" button):
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.5.1
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
Channel: 149 (Automatic), 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 3
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over WAN: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Allow this network to be extended: Checked
Airport Tab > Guest Network:
Nothing checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect Using: Ethernet
Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address [Think this one is probably wrong]
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Internet Tab > DHCP:
Shows Beginning & Ending Address
Internet Tab > NAT:
Enable default host at: Unchecked and blank field
Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol: Checked
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
*2. Airport Express #1: Living Room Express (Closest to AE (Base Station)*
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.4.2
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Connect using: Wireless Network
Channel: 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 1
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over the Internet using Bonjour: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Allow wireless clients: checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect using: Greyed-out, not selectable
Connection sharing: Greyed-out, not selectable
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Shows IP Address
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
*3. Airport Express #2: Dining Room Express (Furthest from AE (Base Station)*
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.4.2
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Connect using: Wireless Network
Channel: 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 2
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over the Internet using Bonjour: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Allow wireless clients: checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect using: Greyed-out, not selectable
Connection sharing: Greyed-out, not selectable
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Shows IP Address
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
SETUP/GOALS:
With Airport Extreme (Base Station) as the starting point, have the two Airport Express units with the strongest, fastest signal possible, provide Internet access (and file sharing, iTunes speakers capability) to three Macs (one older iMac, one older PowerBook and my new MacBookPro). Again, I believe my new MacBook Pro is the only one with 802.11n support, so I don't expect the other Macs to take advantage of the speed boost offered by the three new 802.11n devices.
+Any and all help with this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!+

{quote}With the AirPort Extreme, in the AirPort panel, Wireless tab, click on the button for "Wireless Network Options", check the box for "5 GHz Network Name", and enter a different network name. (That can be trivially different, such as the name of the main network suffixed with an underscore and the digit 5.) Once configured that way, connect your "N" gear to each network in turn to see if one is any better than the other. (If you're wondering what effect this would have, it allows segregating your "N" gear from the older gear to prevent the older gear from slowing down your network. However, distance and interference from things like walls may negate any advantage.){quote}
William: I was gone most of yesterday, but had a chance to implement your recommendations today. I added the 5 GHz network as you suggested, but in order to connect to that at all with my 802.n11 MacBokk Pro, I need to be within a few feet of the AE (base station). If I try to access that network even from the next room (well within reach of both the AE and the livingroom AX, I get one bar and "failure to connect" messages just trying to logon to that network.
However, I did some experimenting that (as of right now, anyway) resulted in much faster network access, not only from my MacBook, but also from the older iMac which is the furthest Mac from the AE. According to my wife, that iMac is "loading web pages faster than I've ever seen them!"
Here's what I did:
1. Moved all three units to places where it seemed they would have the least amount of interference with the clearest path from unit to unit, also raising the height of both AXs from about 2-3 feet from the floor to about 5-6 feet from the floor.
2. Changed one setting on the AE (base station): Wireless Tab > Wireless Network Options > Multicast Rate ---> Changed this from Low to High.
I have a feeling the location shifts made the real difference, but I will try changing the multicast rate back to "Low" just to see what happens.
Paul

Adding 802.11b/g AX(s) to multi-Airport Extreme 802.11n roaming network

First, a thanks to folks like Tesserax and Bob for the great ideas on this forum -- the questions & answers I've read have helped me to date, though I still have a question!
My home wireless network today consists of:
One fifth-generation AEBS running in 802.11n only (5 GHz) / 802.11n only (2.4 GHz) mode, on channels 149 (automatic)/11 (automatic) -- provides DHCP services
One second-generation AEBS running in 802.11n only (5 GHz) mode, on channel 157 (automatic) -- bridge mode
There is a wired home network with Cat5e and a gigabit switch in the basement. 30 down/5 up DOCSIS 3.0 service through Time Warner Cable, upstream from the fifth-gen AEBS. The AEBS units are connected in roaming mode via Ethernet.
Using the Airport Utility on my iOS devices, I'm getting "excellent" (59-65 Mb/s) connectivity when I am near either of the AEBS units. It is a large brick house built in the 1920s, and while there are now no dead zones in the house, there are areas where I drop down to 10-15 Mb/s per the Airport Utility. Unfortunately, the two AEBSs are at opposite ends of the house near external walls, one on first floor and one on second -- and the first floor rear AEBS needs to be where it is to serve a breakfast room and sunroom, while the home office AEBS needs to be where I have two Ethernet drops as the cable modem and switch are in the basement.
Before I added the fifth-gen AEBS, I had the older AEBS and two 802.11b/g Airport Express (AX) devices, also in roaming mode. I wasn't thrilled with performance, and while performance is much better with the two AEBS model, I'm wondering about the benefits of redeploying my AX devices elsewhere in the house on the roaming network -- on the theory that I should be getting better 802.11g performance from a device close enough to get max speeds than I am from a farther-away 802.11n AEBS.
However, I am concerned about whether adding back in 802.11b/g devices on 2.4 GHz would restrict the performance of my 802.11n network? I am assuming that might happen because I have 802.11n running on both frequencies... if I stepped back on the fifth-gen AEBS to 802.11n only (5 GHz) / 802.11b/g [or a similar setting] on that device, will that help? Or, am I running the risk of other cross-talk or interference -- or simply of my home network devices being befuddled by multiple access points in a single house?
Alternatively, I could try to replace my 802.11b/g AX units with 802.11n ones -- howeever, having just bought a new AEBS this week, that would encounter cross-talk with my Spousal Budgetary Compliance Unit (SBCU) and I could end up crashing the entire household....
Thoughts and ideas appreciated!

If you use the "b/g" AirPort Express devices in a roaming setup, any computers, iPads, etc in close proximity will connect at maximum "g" wireless speeds.
It's really not possible to predict the actual results in advance. The increased wireless coverage might tend to compensate for the lower speeds that would naturally occur due to signal drop off if you did not use the AirPort Express devices at all.
As long as the wireless access points are in a separate room, or separated by 25-30 feet or so from other access points, there should be no confusion that occurs with your laptop trying to connect. It will pick the strongest signal as it moves through the house.
I think the bottom line here is that this is one of those things where you just will not know unless you try. If the Ethernet cabling is already in place, it should not take long for you to find out how things are working.

802.11N and D-Link DIR-655

Hi,
Recently bought the D-Link router in order to improve wireless performance on my network.
The router is set up to use 802.11G+N. The current speed is 54Mbps and using the G setup.
However I wold like to use the N implementation thereby getting speeds of 135-150 Mbps (works well on my PC). I have tried a lot of things on the router (changing various wireless settings, changing encryption etc.) but nothing helps.
Has anyone achieved N speeds with a Macbook and any D-Link router? If so how did you do it?
Hope that you can help me...
- Jan -

Happy New Year Jan!
First check that your MacBook is n enabled.
Open the utility "Network Utility" and using the "Info" panel check the settings contained in the Network Interface selector - (en1), mine shows "Interface Information" and at the bottom of the list is "Model: Wireless Network Adapter (802.11 a/b/g/n)"
If it is n enabled, as mine is above, have you tried it when the router is set to operate as n only?
If not n enabled, but does have Core 2 Duo processor, read the "Overview" for this Apple Store item:
AirPort Extreme 802.11n* Enabler for Mac
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg&mco=MTA4NTc4NzE
Message was edited by: myhighway

802.11n implementation- First steps

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